Mason

The Mason was an American car made from 1906 to 1909 in Des Moines and 1911 to 1914 in Waterloo. It was known for its reliability, solid construction, and stylish design. It was marketed as the Maytag-Mason from 1909 to 1910. Today, it is a rare collector's item and a piece of early American automotive engineering history.

The Mason automobile had its origins in the Marvel prototype, which was powered by a 24-hp flat-twin engine and featured an innovative overhead valve engine and water cooling system with a pump. The car's engine, designed by Fred S. Duesenberg and his brother August Duesenberg, was located midships under the floor, making it unique for its time. The Marvel prototype was later renamed the Mason in honor of Edward R. Mason, the company's largest shareholder and eventual president. With a displacement of 3,277cc and an output of 24-28 hp, the Mason was well-regarded for its reliability, solid construction, and nimble handling. Under the leadership of Edward Mason and Fred Duesenberg, the Mason company went on to produce a range of successful automobiles in both Des Moines and Waterloo, Iowa, before ultimately ceasing production in 1914. Despite its relatively short production run, the Mason remains an important part of early American automotive engineering history.